elliottbnewcombjr... I enjoyed your post very much, thank you for adding links to the gear as I am a few decades removed from the era and it adds to the story.
My parents bought me a cheap all-in-one from Montgomery Ward when I was 8 or 9 because I wouldnt stop messing with my Dad's more expensive stereo. It had a particle board stand and the main stereo was meant to look like stacked components but it was all one piece. Turntable, tuner and dual cassette in one plastic box. In retrospect it was junk but I loved it as a kid. I listened to all my Dad's old records and I have no doubt this shaped my addiction to this hobby early on.
When I left for college I took my Dad's Sony stereo (another Montgomery Ward purchase) and his vintage BIC Venturi formula 4's and I really thought I had something. I had a Sony discman hooked up to the aux-in and it was all I needed at the time.
My parents bought me a cheap all-in-one from Montgomery Ward when I was 8 or 9 because I wouldnt stop messing with my Dad's more expensive stereo. It had a particle board stand and the main stereo was meant to look like stacked components but it was all one piece. Turntable, tuner and dual cassette in one plastic box. In retrospect it was junk but I loved it as a kid. I listened to all my Dad's old records and I have no doubt this shaped my addiction to this hobby early on.
When I left for college I took my Dad's Sony stereo (another Montgomery Ward purchase) and his vintage BIC Venturi formula 4's and I really thought I had something. I had a Sony discman hooked up to the aux-in and it was all I needed at the time.